Water level control means for automatic washing machines



Patented July 17, 1951 WATER LEVEL CONTROL MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Curtis J. Mahowald,.Parshall, N. Dak., assignmto General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 21, 1949, Serial No. 122,738

9 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines of the type in which a float switch operates to shut off a water inlet valve and to energize a time-cycle control mechanism to conduct the machine through a predetermined program of operations.

My invention has for a particular objective F,the provision of simple, manually controllable,

means whereby the user may set the machine for operation on either of two water levels in the washing compartment, so as better to accommodate the machine to operation with wash loads of less than the rated maximum. My invention is particularly adaptable to a commercially wellknown machine in which the clothes are washed and spin-dried in a single basket. Such a machine is shown in the Skinner, United States Patent No. 2,258,227 granted October '1, 1941, for Washing Machine and assigned to the assignee of this application; said patent shows also a method of accomplishing the objectives above stated.

In the present invention, as in Skinner, I provide a tubular agitator post with half level and full level apertures, but I provide an opentopped, tubular valve body having a positive plug type of valve to prevent operation of the machine at the lower water level when full level operation is required. When the tubular valve member is seated water must ilow over the top of the valve body before it can pass to the water level responsive switch device; for operation at the lower level the operator manually lifts the valve body to unseat the valve and the lower level agitator ports become eifective.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a representation, partly in section, of a washing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of the agitator post, showing one form of my invention applied thereto; Fig. 3 is a plan section taken on lines 3--3` of Fig. 2 to illustrate means for supporting the valve member in an unseated position; and Fig. 4 is a representation similar to Fig. 2 but showing a second form of the invention.

The drawings show so much of a commercially well known type of washing machine as is necessary for an understanding of the invention. The machine comprises a metal tub I in which is resiliently supported an operational unit comprising a casing 2 housing the drive mechanism, a substantially imperforate basket 3, and an agitator or similar washing device 4. In machines of this type the clothes are placed rwithin the basket 3 wherein they are washed by oscillation of agitator 4, the basket then being stationary, and then are spin dried after the removal of free water by rapidly rotating the basket. Water is introduced into the basket through a nozzle 5 controlled by any conventional solenoid operated mixing valve 6 into which hot and cold water is fed through suitable pipes 1,.

VThe solenoid valve, as well as a time-cycle switch (not shown) which directs the machine through the series of operations including washing, rinsing, and spin drying, is under the control of a switch device 8 operated by a float 9 pivotally secured within the tub. 'I'he solenoid operated valve and the oat switch are well known articles of commerce to which I make no claim of invention, and they have therefore been conventionally represented. y

In the operation of the type of washing machine shown herein, assuming the clothes to be in the basket but the machine empty of Water, the closing of a main control switch (not shown) completes a circuit through certain normally closed contacts of switch 8 -to open the water valve 6. The water rises in the basket until a pre-established level is reached, whereupon the water flows down within the agitator 4 to discharge into the tub I, raising the iioat 9 as it accumulates in the tub. After the tub contains an inch or two of Water, the flo'at opens the solenoid valve contacts to shut off the water and closes a second pair of contacts in circuit with the cycle control switch.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the tubular shaft I0 projects from the casing 2 and carries the hub II to drive the same, saidhub and shaft being mutually secured by means of a set screw I2 or equivalent. Hub II is afllxed to the supporting framework of a balance ring I3 within which the basket 3 tightly ts. Within the shaft III,v and also associated within the mechanism within the casing 2, is a shaft I4 to the upper end of which is lixed a non-circular boss I5 which mates with a cooperatively shaped member I6 formed integral with the body post I1 of the agitator 4. Desirably the end of the boss I5 is threaded to receive the cap I8 which removably secures the agitator thereon. The lower portion of the agitator post may suitably be journaled onA a hub extension 20. The tubular shaft I 0 extends to above the maximum water level in the basket and there is provided any suitable rotating seal assembly 2l to protect against the leakage of water into the shaft I0. During washing, the mechanism within the casing oscillates the agitator, the shaft I being held stationary by a brake within the casing; during the spinning cycle the shaf t is free to be rotated.

The basket hub Il is provided with one or more openings 22 which communicate between the interior of the agitator body post and an opening 23 at the center of the lower wall of the basket 3. Said opening communicates with the tub l through the one or more openings 24 provided by the balance ring framework. A fiexible boot 25 serves to define the passage through which the water flows from the agitator post to the tub and, of course, prevents leakage of water from the basket directly into the tub.

The agitator post is provided with water inow openings 21, 28 respectively defining full level and half level operating conditions. 'I'he openings 21 are preferably elongate and of relatively large area for the purpose later to be described.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 2, I secure a tubular valve seat member 30 about the lower portion of the shaft I0. forming a water-tight seal with the hub extension 20 by means such as a rubber gasket 3|. I may center the tube relative to the agitator by flaring the tube outwardly as at 32 so that it lits in tight engagement with the end of the extension 20 to be supported thereby and by the outwardly liaring lip 33 of the belled upper end of tube 3U. Said lip extends closely proximate the inner wall of the agitator post I1. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the rim 33 is immediately below the apertures 28. For cooperation with the tube 30 I provide a valve body tube 34 carrying at its lower end an annular valve plug 35 which is adapted to fit snugly within the valve seat provided by the belled mouth of tube 30. The upper end of tube 34 is outwardly flanged and when the valve 35 is in seated position extends sulliciently above the lower edge of the opening 21 to permit the operator to insert a nger through the opening below the flanged end to lift the tube 34. The operator may press downwardly against the flange in order to reseat the valve plug. In order frictionally to hold the valve body member 34 in raised position I form the annular plug member 35 with a plurality, for example four, of inwardly projecting fingers 31 which grip the sides of the shaft I0. Advantageously, the valve plug is of rubber or the like. to afford satisfactory resiliency of lingers 31 formed integral therewith. The spaces 38 between adjacent lingers provide ample flow passages for water entering the valve body 34 over its upper edge to pass downwardly through the tube 30 and through the openings 22 for discharge into the tub.

It is apparent that when the body tube 34 is raised to unseat the valve member 35 the water entering the basket cannot rise above the openings 28, the machine will operate in normal fashion, but with the lesser water content.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4 valve construction v"comprises a single tube 4l! having an annular valve plug 4l at its lower end. The upper end wall of the cup-like hub collar 20 may be con- ;:gurated to provide a valve seat. The upper end 'of tube 40 is flanged or beaded as shown to pro- .vide a surface to be engaged by a finger projecting through the agitator opening 21.

Suitable guiding means-for valve tube 40 may be provided by spinning out the wall as at 42 for slidable engagement with the inner wall of agitator post I1. For positioning the tube 40 I provide one or more spring lingers 43 on the inner wall of the tube for cooperation with annular grooves 44, 45 on the shaft'lll, said grooves representing respectively the closed and open valve plug positions. It will be apparent that if found desirable the shaft l0 of Fig. 2 may be provided with equivalent positioning grooves.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made; and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a washing machine, a tub, a basket therein in which the clothes are to be washed and spin dried, means for introducing water into the basket, an agitator in said basket, said agitator having a tubular post extending to above the maximum operational water level of said basket and having inflow ports at vertically spaced locations, means providing a water passage communicating between said tubular post and said tub, means defining a valve seat at the entrance to said water passage below the lowermost of said agitator postports, and a tubular valve element disposed within said agitator post for axial movement therein, said tubular element extending to the uppermost of said openings and having at its lowermost end an annular valve element seatable within said valve seat when it is desired to effect communication between said uppermost agitator port and said water passage and removable from said valve seat when the lower agitator port is to be rendered effective.

2. In a. washing machine, a tub, a basket therein in which the clothes are to be washed and spin dried, a hub for supporting said basket on a shaft for rotating the same on a vertical axis, said hub including a cup-like member opening upwardly above the floor of the basket, an agitator having a tubular body post disposed about said shaft in spaced relation therewith, said post communicating with said hub member, a water passage communicating between said hub member and said tub, overflow passages in said agitator body post at a plurality of liquid levels in the basket, means on said hub member below the lowermost of said levels to define an upwardly facing valve seat, a tubular valve member disposed about said shaft in spaced relation therewith and extending to the uppermost of said overflow passages, and an annular valve disk member at the lower end of said tubular valve member for releasably seating on said valve seat, whereby with th valve unseated water will flow through the lower overflow passage into said tub, but when the valve is seated only the uppermost overflow passage is in communication with said water passage.

3. The combination according to claim 2. in which the tubular valve member is provided with means accessible through one of the overflow passages for lifting said member to unseated condition.

4. The combination according to claim 2, in which means are provided to releasably maintain the tubular valve member in unseated position.

5. 'I'he combination according to claim 2, in which means engaging the basket shaft are car- 5 6 ried by the tubular member to releasably maintator port for lifting said element to unseated tain the said member in unseated position. position.

6. The combination according,r to claim 2, in CURTIS J. MAHOWALD.

which means cooperating between the valve disk member and the basket shaft are provided to re- REFERENCES CITED leasably maintain the tubular Valve member in The following references are of record in the unvsertd DOSltlloQnt d t 1 2 in file of this patent:

. e com ma ion accor lng o c aim which resilient ngers are provided on the valve UNITED STATES PATENTS disk member to frictionally engage the basket 10 Number Name Date shaft for releasably maintaining the tubular valve 1,898,218 Schroeder Feb. 21, 1933 member in unseated position. 2,258,227 Skinner Oct. 7, 1941 8. The combination according to claim 1, in 2,346,669 Dunham Apr. 18, 1944 which friction means are provided to releasabiy 2,432,271 Barif Dec. 9, 1947 restrain the tubular valve element against axial 15 movement. FOREIGN PATENTS 9. The combination according to claim l, in Number COuntry Date which the tubular valve element is provided with 153,370 Switzerland June 1, 1932 means accessible `through said uppermost agi- 

